Orchid Warning Signs & Diseases

Orchid Warning Signs

As you care for your orchid, you may notice signs of a possible problem.

Too much or too little water are usually the reasons for many orchid warning signs.

An orchid pulls the water it needs from the roots. Dehydration happens when not enough water going to the orchid from the roots. On the other hand, too much water can overwhelm the roots. 

You’ll know your orchid is receiving just enough water because the leaves are shiny and firm and the roots are firm and green.

For Phalaenopsis orchids, when they have too little water the roots will become dark and dry. Too much water can cause yellow, brown or hollow/ flat roots. Vandas also show a similar effect. 

In the case of orchids in Garden arrangements, too little water is noticeable when it leads to flowers getting wrinkly and the flower veins showing up and wilting. In worse dehydration cases, the leaves will be discolored, dull, thinned out, floppy, soft and rubbery. Too much water can lead to many similar symptoms, but they will be visible in the leaves before they are visible in the flowers.

Warning Signs

The following are warning signs for your orchids.

In these cases, you may be able to help your orchid recover. You should adjust to the ideal environment and watering schedule for your orchid as suggested below:

Slight yellow tint on the leaves

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In the case of Phalaenopsis Orchids, if the top leaves are healthy - they look green and shiny and feel firm - then this yellow tint is normal. It means that the lowest leaves are falling off and there is nothing to be concerned about. 

If the yellow tint is coming from a black source or from rot, then there is a greater concern.

In the case of Vandas, they typically will not drop leaves without undue stress. 

The flower is wilting early

The first thing to consider is how long you have had your orchid and if you purchased it fully bloomed.

You can tell if your orchid's wilting is age-induced if the oldest flowers (lower on the spike) wilt first, and then it continues upward. If the wilting is happening in multiple flowers on one side of the plant, it is an indication that the flowers may have hit something (a wall, car door, etc.) 

If after purchasing, wilting is happening within 3 weeks, it may be a sign of not enough water and you should adjust the watering schedule. When wilting is happening due to lack of water, your flowers will flop backward on themselves. You might also have the smallest buds start dying (yellow on a green spike and purple on a brown spike).

You’ll also want to make sure your orchid is not exposed to a strong draft, like an air conditioner. If so, move it to a different spot with indirect light and no drafts.

The foliage starts to wrinkle

This is a sign of dehydration. Make sure your orchid is getting sufficient the correct amount of water. Please see the General Orchid Care page to determine the best amount of water to prevent under- or over-watering.

You see yellow or brown roots OR hollow and flat roots

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This is usually a sign of too much watering. Be careful that you are watering in the right schedule for your orchid (about once a week), and that there is no remaining water sitting at the bottom of the pot.

There is a red tint on the leaves

This is a sign that your orchid is being exposed to too much light over time. Move the orchid to the a shadier spot with indirect light.

The texture of the leaf is thinning, wilted or droopy

This can be a sign of too much light or a temperature burn.

This can happen especially during the Summer months when the midday sun is especially intense.

You’ll want to move your orchid to a shadier environment and resume the usual watering schedule.

Orchid Diseases

There are some symptoms that can mean your orchid has a more serious disease.

Your orchid will not likely recover if you see:

• Any part of your orchid is rotten or smells

• The neck of your orchid is black and the rest is yellow
   

The following are symptoms of some of the most common orchid diseases and information on what can be done to prevent or treat them:

Small water-soaked spots on leaves surrounded by yellow halos

Disease: Erwinia

If unchecked, this kind of infection will rapidly rot the leaves. The wet rot may have a foul odor and has a water soaked appearance. In Phalaenopsis, the disease spreads so rapidly that plants may be completely rotted in 2-3 days.

What to do:

It is typically fatal if it is within 2 inches of the base of the plant. Otherwise, you can try cutting the spike or leaf about 2 inches from the visible rot edge.

Small, brown necrotic spots on orchid flowers

Disease: Botrytis

The spots may increase in size and number as the infection progresses, and may be surrounded by a pale pink margin. In severe infections, the spots can coalesce, and gray.

What to do:
The best form of control for botrytis is prevention, which involves sanitation, air circulation and careful watering. A stagnant, damp environment with inadequate air circulation promotes the growth of botrytis. When watering, avoid wetting the plant and its flowers, if possible.

Dark colored spots appear in the leaves

Disease: Fusarium
The colored areas increase in size as patches of dry rot appear. At the neck of the root the tissue turns hard and black with dry rot. With increasing infestation the dry rot areas at the base of the leaves become larger and dry rot areas.

The youngest leaves of Phalaenopsis become extremely reddish and finally the leaves fall off and the plant begins to die. Older leaves often dry out.
 

What to do:

It is typically fatal if it is within 2 inches of the base of the plant. Otherwise, you can try cutting the spike or leaf about 2 inches from the visible rot edge. 

Severely infested plants should be destroyed or at least planted elsewhere and all dead roots have to be removed carefully in order to prevent spread to other plants.